Flood means Essex club's cricket plans are hit for six

PUBLISHED: 08:08 05 February 2010 | UPDATED: 07:32 30 May 2010

JUST when cricket club s are gearing up for the new season, one village team has had their preparations thrown into tatters as the winter weather destroyed the inside of the club pavilion. Players at High Easter Cricket Club were met with water, broken pi

JUST when cricket club's are gearing up for the new season, one village team has had their preparations thrown into tatters as the winter weather destroyed the inside of the club pavilion.

Players at High Easter Cricket Club were met with water, broken pipes, falling roof timber and ruined carpets and flooring when they inspected the building for the first time following the cold snap.

The damage had been caused by frozen pipes rupturing and completely flooding the inside of the building.

And with the season just three months away the race is on to try and repair the damage.

Last season's first team captain, Jon Norgrove, said: "This has really been a big blow to the club - we looked in good shape before December with a few new signings and a grant received will provide us with much-needed practice facilities.

"But the clubhouse flooding has really knocked the whole club back - it's going to be difficult to get things ready for the new season."

The club's insurance only covers a handful of the repairs that the pavilion now needs. And within the tight financial constraints of a village club the work will have to be done voluntarily by many of the players.

But materials are now at a premium, according to chairman Gary Cheveral, who has sent out a plea for help in resurrecting the pavilion which is situated at one of the most picturesque grounds in Essex.

"We need materials desperately and we would welcome any donations or even buy them at cost price," he said. "Plaster board and insulation are the main items on our list because basically the building has no roof at the moment.

"We are looking to host a number of events over the coming months to help give us that financial boost to get everything up and running before our first game in May."

The first in a string of events is as horse racing evening on Saturday March 27 at the High Easter Village Hall.

Contact 07875 541 511 to help the club or for more information on the race evening.

Training is also due to start in the next few weeks, any new players can contact coach Nick Thompson on 07772 503 783 if they wish to come along.